Filip Hrgovic has identified three previous opponents that hit harder than Moses Itauma, who he claims never had him hurt during their contest in August.
Back then, Itauma got off to a blistering start, even scoring a second-round knockdown, and appeared to be in full control of their heavyweight encounter.
That was until he was reduced to a state of exhaustion, with the 21-year-old pursuing an eighth-round finish but ultimately failing to get his man out of there.
Indeed, Hrgovic had shown a tremendous chin and, at that point, all he needed was to let his hands go and orchestrate a ninth-round stoppage.
In doing so, he became Croatia’s first world heavyweight champion by claiming the IBF title, which he must now defend against mandatory challenger Frank Sanchez.
As for his last outing, Hrgovic immediately highlighted Itauma as the best fighter he has ever faced, chiefly because of the heavyweight prodigy’s speed and ring IQ.
In terms of power, though, the 34-year-old has told The Stomping Ground that Daniel Dubois, Zhilei Zhang and David Adeleye all hit with greater authority during their respective contests.
“I was never hurt in that [Itauma] fight. He connected [with] some good shots and I didn’t see his punches coming. He was fast, but I was never hurt.
“I felt some other fighters’ power more. Like David Adeleye – he hit me [with] the strongest punch I’ve ever received in my career.
“And Dubois, I felt [his power] more. And Zhang. So [Itauma isn’t] the biggest puncher I’ve faced.”
While Dubois and Zhang are both renowned knockout artists, it is perhaps somewhat surprising that Hrgovic, who won their August 2025 fight by unanimous decision, considers Adeleye to be a more devastating puncher than Itauma.
